Raspberry Pi 5: EVERYTHING you need to know

Summary

The Raspberry Pi 5 offers significant performance improvements over its predecessor, boasting over 2.5 times the speed. Priced at $60 for 4GB and $80 for 8GB, it's set to ship in October. It introduces a custom RP1 chip for enhanced I/O, supports 10GB networking, and features a new BCM2712 SoC for faster processing. With a new design, including a PCI Express port and USB-C power delivery, the Pi 5 is poised to maintain Raspberry Pi's competitive edge in the single-board computer market.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The Raspberry Pi 5 boasts a significant speed increase, being over 2.5 times faster than its predecessor, the Pi 4.
• 💳 Retaining the credit card size form factor, the Pi 5 offers a 4GB version starting at $60 and an 8GB version at $80.
• 📅 The new model is expected to begin shipping in October, with comprehensive coverage planned.
• 🔌 Notable new features include a PCI Express port for high-speed expansion and a 10GB networking capability.
• 🏎 The Pi 5 aims to close the performance gap with competitors like Rockchip, whose chip was released during the Pi shortage and offers three times the speed.
• 💾 The introduction of the RP1 chip, a Southbridge designed by Raspberry Pi, manages data flow between the SoC and the rest of the board, enhancing USB and Ethernet capabilities.
• 🔋 A new Power Management Chip (PMIC) allows for precise power consumption measurement and supports USB-C power delivery for high-power accessories.
• 🔩 The board design now omits through-hole components, moving to surface mount technology, which simplifies manufacturing and may improve reliability.
• 💾 The MicroSD card slot has been upgraded for faster read/write speeds, aligning with UHS-1 standards.
• 🌐 The BCM2712 SoC includes a quad-core ARM A76 CPU running at 2.4 GHz and a VideoCore VII GPU, enhancing overall performance and multimedia capabilities.
• 🔥 Despite the performance improvements, the Pi 5 requires some form of cooling to prevent throttling under heavy use, with official cooling solutions available.

Q & A

How much faster is the Raspberry Pi 5 compared to the Pi 4?

The Raspberry Pi 5 is over 2.5 times faster than the Pi 4.

What are the pricing and shipping details for the Raspberry Pi 5?

The Raspberry Pi 5 starts at $60 for a 4GB version, while the 8GB version is priced at $80. It is expected to start shipping in October.

What new features does the RP1 chip on the Raspberry Pi 5 offer?

The new RP1 chip, designed by Raspberry Pi, includes two built-in USB 3 controllers for full 5 Gbps bandwidth, two USB 2 controllers, gigabit Ethernet, and control over all GPIO pins.

What improvements does the BCM2712 SoC bring to the Raspberry Pi 5?

The BCM2712 SoC includes a quad-core ARM A76 CPU running at 2.4 GHz and a new VideoCore VII GPU capable of decoding H.265 (HEVC) up to 4K at 60 frames per second.

How does the Raspberry Pi 5 handle power management and what are the new power requirements?

The Raspberry Pi 5 features a new PMIC with a built-in real-time clock and the ability to use USB-C power delivery for more power. It can accept up to 25 watts of power and requires a new power adapter for its increased I/O capabilities.

What is the significance of the new PCI Express port on the Raspberry Pi 5?

The new PCI Express port on the Raspberry Pi 5 allows for high-speed expansion HATs and is a significant upgrade from previous models, although it is limited to one lane of PCI Express Gen 2 speed out of the box.

How does the Raspberry Pi 5 enhance its connectivity options?

The Raspberry Pi 5 offers enhanced connectivity with 10Gbps networking, a new FPC connector for high-speed expansion, and support for Wi-Fi 6E through a USB adapter.

What are the thermal performance and cooling options for the Raspberry Pi 5?

The Raspberry Pi 5 requires some form of cooling to prevent throttling under heavy load. Options include the official Active Cooler or the new case, both of which help maintain temperatures and prevent throttling.

What is the performance comparison between the Raspberry Pi 5 and other single-board computers like the Orange Pi 5 and Rock 5 Model B?

While the Raspberry Pi 5 is competitive in price, it lags slightly behind the Orange Pi 5 and Rock 5 Model B in performance, which offer more efficiency and additional cores. However, the Pi 5 remains a strong contender, especially for its price point.

What new capabilities does the VideoCore VII GPU in the Raspberry Pi 5 offer?

The VideoCore VII GPU can handle 4K displays at 60Hz, decode H.265 video at 4K60, and run games like Super Tuxkart and Open Arena at high settings, making it more capable than its predecessor.